Dogs and humans agree: Linen bedding delivers laid-back luxury like nothing else. (Jessica Dodell-Feder/Yahoo)
Linen sheets are surprisingly polarizing. I know plenty of people who prefer the crisp, smooth feeling of cotton percale, but those who love linen, myself included, really love it. It has a rumpled, quietly luxurious quality that makes me feel like I'm sleeping in a fancy Hamptons beach house. Because of its relatively loose weave, this natural fabric is also known for its breathability. Like high-quality cooling sheets and cooling comforters, the best linen sheets can help with temperature regulation — handy if you're a hot sleeper — plus, they often come in beautiful colors and only get softer with time.
I was first introduced to linen bedding in the early 2010s by a stylist friend who worked for Martha Stewart. The sheets looked so casual-cool, I became a convert, and I've been buying linen ever since (though it did take me some time to save up, as linen sheets typically cost more than cotton sheets). For this story, I took a close look at my favorite linen sheet set and tested eight others over the course of the past six months, washing them, drying them and of course, sleeping on them.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Color: Matcha (shown), Baltic, Clay, Cream, Clove and nine more | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
When it comes to quality for the price, it's hard to beat Bokser Home's French linen bedding. In my testing, these sheets scored well in every single category.
One of my favorite things about these sheets is how they feel. Linen sheets can be rough, but these are smooth and almost silky — and they got softer after multiple laundry cycles (especially after I ignored the care instructions and put them in the dryer on high). They're also fairly thick, yet cool to the touch. My husband runs hot but had no problem sleeping on these, even during 85°F summer nights. They drape beautifully and are less wrinkly than many of the other sheets I tried. In fact, they reminded me of my top luxury pick from Saatva (more on that below). Though these sheets felt ever-so-slightly scratchier, they're about half the price. In fact, they're one of the cheapest sets I tried overall.
Making the bed was a breeze: The fitted sheet can accommodate mattresses up to 16 inches thick and has small tags on the underside that note which edges are the top/bottom and which are the sides, so you don't end up doing that annoying dance of stretching the sheet one way, then another, just to get it to fit. (Side note: Why don't all bedding brands offer this?!)
The flat sheet and pillow cases are also generously sized. If I'm going to be nitpicky, I'll say that I actually thought the pillow cases, which are standard size, were a bit too big, creating extra fabric around even my fluffiest down pillows. That said, they have a spiffy envelope closure (meaning the fabric meets in the back), which looks more polished than a pillow case that's open on one side.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Color: Sand (shown), Desert Sunset, Navy, Dusty Olive, Ivory and 22 more, plus nine patterns | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
It's hard to come by a queen-size set of linen sheets for less than $200, and this cracks the threshold, barely. But the quality is solid, which comes as no surprise considering that Quince has made a name for itself by producing luxe basics at affordable prices.
Made from European-grown flax (considered some of the highest quality flax around), these pre-washed sheets feel smooth and substantial. The seams are neat, but I noticed a few small pulls in the stitching of the top sheet and fitted sheet.
They fit easily over my mattress and were very large (for reference, Quince's queen flat sheet measures 108 inches by 100 inches, whereas its Bokser Home counterpart measures 104 inches by 94 inches). The fabric is a bit thinner than my top pick — I received the Quince sheets in a pale oatmeal color, and I could see my dark gray mattress faintly underneath — but it helps enhance their breezy quality.
As part of my testing, I sprinkled a few drops of water on each sheet set and tracked how quickly and how much it spread in a specific amount of time. If the spot grows quickly, it's a good indicator of moisture wicking. These Quince sheets were some of the best performers in that respect. That said, they did seem to hold on to body heat. The good news is that any fabric not touching me stayed chilly, so I could always find a cool spot on the pillow if I moved my head.
Sizes: Queen, King | Color: Fern Stripe (shown), White, Sage, Smoke Gray, Natural and eight more, plus three patterns | Care instructions: Machine wash warm, tumble dry low
Ahhh, to sleep on Cultiver sheets! This set was a dream come true: The fabric is light and billowy, and it feels extremely cool to the touch. (If you've ever felt suffocated by your bedding, these are the sheets for you.) I loved using them on the warmest days of summer, but they're also soft and cozy enough for snuggling up with on chilly fall nights.
My husband, who often finds linen too "papery," deemed this set extremely comfortable. Though I wouldn't call these sheets crisp like cotton percale, they're definitely smooth and would be a good starting point for anyone who shares a bed with a linen skeptic.
Even better, the sheets only got softer after every wash. They shed a lot after going in the dryer, but even after several cycles, they looked just as good as they did when I first opened them, without the pilling and fuzziness I noticed from some of the other brands I tested.
Each item in the set comes bundled in its own drawstring bag made from the same linen as the sheets. The pillowcases have a neat envelope-style closure, and the flat sheet (which fits both queen and king beds) features a 2-inch-thick border all the way around, giving it an expensive look. These are the thoughtful touches I'd expect from a luxury bedding brand — and make no mistake, Cultiver sheets are priced as such. A complete queen set with two standard-size pillowcases runs close to $500. I have a hard time swallowing the cost, but if you can swing it, they are worth every penny.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Color: Gray (shown), white, ivory | Care instructions: Machine wash cold in gentle cycle, tumble dry low
Saatva is known for its luxury mattresses, and its pre-washed linen sheets are as posh as you would imagine. First off, the set arrived beautifully packaged in a white box with a blush-colored satin bow. New bedding is a treat, but it doesn't always feel that way. Saatva gives it the pomp it deserves — I felt like I was opening the most delicious, grown-up birthday present.
The sheets themselves feel smooth and cool, with a nubby texture that's typical of linen. They looked just the right amount of rumpled, without the deeper wrinkles some of the cheaper sets developed. I liked how the Saatva sheets draped across my bed, but what I loved was how much softer they got over time. A few wash-and-dry cycles mellowed out the fabric, making it feel extra cozy, but the sheets still looked good as new.
I reserved one pillowcase from each sheet set I tested, so I could compare how the fabric fared after washing, drying and nightly use. One of the most notable things about the Saatva linen is that it hardly shrank. While most of the brands lost an inch or more, the Saatva pillowcase measured just a half-inch narrower, and the length stayed the same. The sheets also performed well in my moisture-wicking test. My only complaint is that, like the Cultiver sheets, they shed in the dryer.
Bottom line: If a five-star hotel were to dress its beds in linen sheets, it'd use Saatva.
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King | Color: Dusk Blue (shown), White, Pearl, Oatmeal, Sage Green and seven more, plus 17 patterns | Care instructions: Machine wash warm, air dry or tumble dry low
Some people make their bed with plain white or cream sheets and call it a day ... er, night. Other people see their bedding as a design statement, and if that's you, Piglet in Bed is the brand to know. This U.K.-based company sells its 100% linen and linen-blend sheets (made from 55% linen and 45% cotton) in nearly three dozen colors and patterns, including charming stripes and ginghams that will make you feel like you're sleeping in a Cotswolds cottage.
I tested the linen-blend sheets, which look less rough/nubby than traditional linen. They felt smooth, though not as soft as my top pick from Bokser Home. The sky-blue shade cheered up my room, and because Piglet in Bed sells its sheets by the piece, I could easily see myself mixing and matching colors for a one-of-a-kind look. (FYI, if you bundle multiple pieces together, like a fitted sheet, pillowcases and a duvet cover, you get a 15% discount.)
Because of the looser weave, some linen sheets can look borderline sheer or start bagging, but these appeared to have a tighter weave and are completely opaque, with less variation in the fibers than pure linen. This gave me the impression that the fabric is thicker than other sheets I tried, though I don't think it actually is. It kept me cool in the summer and cozy during chillier months, as any good linen sheets should.
After washing and drying, the sheets developed some light pilling and shed a little, but the color remained vibrant.
Linen comes from the fibers of the flax plant, which are thicker than cotton, making for a looser weave. This enhances the fabric's breathability and creates its signature nubby texture. When shopping for linen, here are some things to keep in mind:
Feel: Though linen has some heft, it generally feels airy, plus it's naturally moisture-wicking, ideal for temperature regulation. If you're a hot sleeper, consider pairing linen sheets with a simple quilt for year-round comfort. Some linen sheets feel rougher than others at the onset, but the material does get softer with time and repeated washing and drying. Just know that if you or your family loves the crisp smoothness of cotton sheets, you may find linen too textured.
Durability: It's not unusual for people to pass down linen bedding from generation to generation. High-quality linen sheets should last for many years, but that's not always the case with modern options. Although flax fibers are stronger than cotton, the open weave can lead to bagginess or small holes. When testing, I looked carefully for signs of weakness in the fibers and am confident my top picks will last for the long haul.
Appearance: Linen has an inherently rumpled look, so if you're allergic to wrinkles and make your bed with hospital corners, it's probably not for you. I'm a fan of its lived-in character, and I love how linen takes on dye — the colors are remarkably vibrant, and in my experience, they don't fade as long as you follow care instructions.
Care: Speaking of care, you'll find that most instructions for linen sheets are similar. Expect to wash the sheets on a gentle/delicate cycle with your favorite laundry detergent and tumble dry low. You can use an iron to help press out wrinkles, but directions vary based on the brand — for example, Quince says to use a cool iron as needed, whereas Saatva recommends a hot iron.
Price: No doubt about it, linen sheets are pricey. Expect to spend close to $200 or more for a queen-size set. One affordable way to dip your toe in is to buy from a company that sells by the piece, like Piglet in Bed. You can always try using a linen top sheet with a cotton fitted sheet. Or go really wild with texture and pair linen sheets or a linen duvet cover with silk pillowcases.
What not to consider: thread count! Linen sheets are made with thicker fibers than cotton, so thread count isn't a great indicator of quality. If you need a metric to go by, look at the GSM (grams per square meter), which measures the fabric's weight and density. Generally, linen sheets have 100-220 GSM. The higher the number, the heavier the fabric.
To come up with our testing process for the best linen sheets, we consulted three fabric experts: Kim Romine, a fabric care scientist at P&G; Liz Eggert, a senior textile scientist at P&G Fabric Care; and Meredith McQuerry, associate professor and director of the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab and Textile Testing Laboratory at Florida State University. Because we tested these sheets at home, using our own washers and dryers and sleeping on them in our own beds, we wanted to get their take on how best to gauge a sheet's quality, durability and more without the benefit of professional equipment or a lab.
Once we took each set out of the packaging, we inspected them carefully, looking for red flags like loose threads, snags, dye imperfections and excessive wrinkling. Next, we measured one pillowcase from each set, then set it aside as a control. We washed and dried the rest of the bedding according to the care label's instructions to remove any finishes or softeners from the manufacturer.
Once the sheets were dry, we did a second inspection and felt each piece with our fingertips, eyes closed, to determine fabric softness, coolness and smoothness. We followed that with a moisture-wicking test: We used a dropper to administer a couple of drops of water to a taut section of each flat sheet. We checked how quickly the drops of water expanded and how big the spot grew — the larger, the better when it comes to moisture-wicking.
Then came the sleep test. We made our bed, noting how easy it was and how the sheets/pillowcases fit. We slept on the sheets for at least three nights, then washed them again, observing whether they got softer (yay!) or showed signs of wear (boo!). We also measured the washed pillowcase, comparing it against the control for shrinkage and fading.
I've been using these sheets for about six months, so I repeated the wash-dry-sleep process multiple times. (Talk about a dream job!)
Parachute Linen Sheet Set ($359 for a queen set): My main complaints about these linen sheets are that they felt relatively rough and that the pillowcases did not match the sheets. The color (I tried these in dark brown) looked more purple, and the fabric appeared worn compared with the rest of the set. All the pieces came out of the wash extremely wrinkled.
Brooklinen Washed European Linen Core Sheet Set ($359 for queen): Generally, I'm a fan of Brooklinen sheets — they come in stylish colors and patterns and are often on sale, and the brand's cotton percale is my go-to when I want to mix it up. Unfortunately, after taking the linen sheets out of their package, I noticed some snags and small holes, and spots where the dye looked uneven and faded. The weave was so loose, these sheets were transparent, and they became excessively wrinkled in the wash.
LBR02M Soft Breathable Bed Sheets ($130 for queen): I had high hopes for these affordable linen sheets because they're listed as an "Amazon's Choice" product and get 4.5 stars from 5,000-plus reviews. But they were, by far, the worst I tested. After washing, they became extremely wrinkled and a bit stiff, with some loose threads. They also shed a ton in the dryer and did not feel cool to the touch. They almost seemed felted, like flannel.
Crate & Barrel Aire Natural Linen Bed Sheet Set ($300 for queen): When I got married four years ago, I registered for these sheets, and they've lasted me countless nights since. They're not quite as soft or luxurious as some of the other sets I've tried, but they sure are durable, and the rich colors last (though, like with Parachute, the pillowcases don't quite match the rest of the set). If you're a Crate & Barrel devotee, these are a solid buy.
I also have The Citizenry Stonewashed Linen Sheet Set and Coyuchi Organic Relaxed Linen Sheet Set, both of which I'll be testing soon.
Linen sheets are a luxury item, and they're priced as such. If you can afford them and like their casual look, they're worth the money. In my 20 years as a home editor, I've spoken to so many homeowners who happily spend money on shared spaces like the living room and bathroom and ignore the bedroom. But when you consider that the average person spends about a third of their life sleeping or trying to sleep, splurging on the best sheets seems like a worthwhile investment, don't you think?
It's more common to find cotton sheets in luxury hotels.
Both linen and cotton are natural materials and share many of the same qualities, including being breathable and moisture-wicking. One is definitely not better than the other; it comes down to which fabric you like the look and feel of more. Cotton is more crisp and smooth, whereas linen is more textured and rumpled.
Belgian and French linen are widely considered the best, but check that both the raw materials (the flax plant) and the manufacturing process happen in their respective country. You can also look for linen that's certified European Flax, meaning it's sourced from western Europe and grown without irrigation and GMOs.
Liz Eggert, senior textile scientist, P&G Fabric Care
Meredith McQuerry, associate professor and director, ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab and Textile Testing Laboratory, Florida State University
Kim Romine, fabric care scientist, P&G
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.